Is it really possible to get a category B driver’s license in Phuket?

Getting a driver’s license in Phuket is not the simplest story. This is only possible if you have a long-term visa. You can find information about them in the Visas and Border Runs section.

The process of getting a license can be lengthy, because the main problem is registering with the Transport Department. Therefore, the first step is to get in line in advance and visit the DLT office in Phuket Town, location link. It is best to arrive early and get in line ahead of time.

When the big day comes, the preparation of documents begins. You will need a passport with a visa or stamp, a completed TM30 migration form, a medical certificate (it can be done in any clinic within half an hour for 200–300 baht), as well as a residence certificate. The latter is issued at the immigration office or can be ordered from a lawyer for a couple of thousand baht if you do not want to run around yourself. All documents are required in both copies and originals.

Next come the medical tests on-site. They check your eyesight, color perception, and reaction – the basics. After that, there is a training video with a lecture on Thai traffic rules and road behavior. The film has English subtitles. After the lecture – either on the same day or the next – you will be admitted to the theoretical exam. It is conducted in the form of a computer test.

If you pass the theory, you move on to practice. Here you will face a practice area with exercises: stopping at a line, reversing, parking, crossing an intersection, and slalom driving. A car is provided, and everything takes place on the department’s territory. A striking difference is that the practical exam includes only driving on the practice ground. The “city” driving exam we are used to is not required.

The final step is a photo taken on-site and the issuance of the license card. If you only had a tourist visa and are applying from scratch, you will first be issued a license valid for 2 years. Later, it can be exchanged for a 5-year license.

If you already have a Russian or international driver’s license, part of the process can be skipped: the theory and practice are waived, leaving only the medical examination and basic tests, and then the license is issued in one day.

In general, the waiting time for registration takes the longest – from several weeks to a couple of months. The procedure itself takes 2–3 days. Through an intermediary or driving school, the process can be sped up, but this means additional expenses. If you apply independently, the state fee is symbolic – just over a hundred baht for the plastic card.

For all license holders, we recommend looking for transport in our Car Rental and Bike Rental sections  or complete the form below.